In this episode of the Hostel Road Trip Podcast, we sit down with Rex Baldwin, cofounder of the legendary Green Tortoise Hostel in Seattle, to explore the roots of American hostel culture.

Before opening the iconic Seattle hostel near Pike Place Market, Rex and his partner Gardener operated the original Green Tortoise hostel bus, traveling across North America for more than 20 years. What started as a counterculture road trip experience became one of the earliest community-driven backpacker movements in the United States.

This conversation dives into the history of hostels in America, the evolution of backpacker culture, and how a traveling bus community eventually became one of the most respected hostels in North America.

If you're interested in hostel entrepreneurship, Seattle travel, starting a hostel, or the foundations of c ...